A Utah family is facing the prospect of losing a cabin that's been around for more than 50 years.
The cabin is on forest land that the family has leased over the years.
But forest policies have changed since the cabin was built in the 1940's and that has the family fighting to keep it.
Central Utah Correspondent Sam Penrod has the story.
The Nielson family cabin is nestled in pine trees in Manti Canyon.
It was built as a family project by the seven children of John Nielson in 1949,
as a replica of what original settlers in the area lived in.
The cabin has no water or electricity.
It was built with primitive tools and materials from the mountains.
A log book records everyone who has ever visited the cabin.
A few isolated cabins like this were allowed in National Forests before policies changed in the 1950's.
But with the untimely death of the family member whose name the cabin lease was in,
the government recently notified the family they have to tear it down.
Elaine Zieroth/Forest Supervisor: "IT'S BECOME NATIONAL POLICY TO PHASE OUT THESE ISOLATED CABINS AND RETURN THAT LAND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO USE. IT'S ALWAYS A VERY EMOTIONAL THING."
Family members insist they're not trying to save the cabin for themselves, they only want to preserve what they believe adds to the history of the forest.
Russell Nielson: "THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAS USED IT, BOY SCOUTS FOR FIFTY YEARS HAVE COME UP HERE. IT'S REALLY NOT USED THAT MUCH BY THE FAMILY, BUT IT'S MAINTAINED BY THE FAMILY AND REALLY WE FEEL LIKE THE FOREST SERVICE, IT'S NOT TAKING ANY OF THEIR TIME OR RESOURCES."
Community interest in saving the cabin has sparked a letter writing campaign and a website.
But without a last minute reprieve, the family will have to remove the cabin by year's end.
"IT REALLY REPRESENTS SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST THE FAMILY."
And while the family looks back at memories of the times they've had at the cabin, they fear similar experiences will be lost for future generations.
The family has filed for a new use permit for the cabin.
The Forest Service is now considering that.
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